Private destination
Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Icy Strait Point is a purpose built cruise destination beside the Tlingit village of Hoonah, and it is unusual in being owned and operated by the local Native corporation rather than by a cruise line. It offers the most reliable whale watching in Alaska, the longest zipline in North America, and a low key alternative to the busy historic ports.
The short answer
Icy Strait Point is a Tlingit owned cruise destination next to the village of Hoonah on Chichagof Island. Its main draws are exceptionally reliable whale watching in Icy Strait, the ZipRider zipline, and a quiet, uncrowded setting. Revenue stays with the local community, which makes it one of the more genuinely beneficial stops on the circuit.
Key points
- Owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, the Tlingit village corporation for Hoonah.
- Icy Strait is one of the most reliable whale watching areas in Alaska, with high summer sighting rates.
- The ZipRider is among the longest ziplines in the world at roughly 5,330 feet with a 1,300 foot drop.
- Two gondolas connect the landing areas, so it is easier to get around than most Alaska ports.
- Very low crowding compared with Juneau or Ketchikan, and no traffic.
Quick facts
- Region
- Alaska, United States
- Typical time here
- 7 to 10 hours
- Population
- Hoonah, around 900
- Best months
- June, July, August
- Wildlife
- Humpback whaleOrcaBrown bearSea otterBald eagleSteller sea lion
What Icy Strait Point is actually like
Icy Strait Point is a cruise destination built around a restored 1912 salmon cannery on Chichagof Island, about a mile and a half from the Tlingit village of Hoonah. It opened in 2004 and is owned by Huna Totem Corporation, the Alaska Native village corporation for Hoonah, which means visitor spending stays substantially within the community rather than leaving the region.
It is not a town, and it is important to understand that before arriving. There is no historic main street, no independent shopping district and no city to explore. What there is, is a well organised site with restaurants, a museum in the old cannery, forest trails, two gondolas, an excellent zipline and access to some of the best whale water in Alaska.
For travellers who found Juneau and Ketchikan crowded, Icy Strait Point is often the day they enjoyed most. For travellers who wanted a town, it can feel manufactured. Both reactions are reasonable, and which one you have depends almost entirely on expectations set before you arrive.
ZipRider length
~5,330 ft
With roughly a 1,300 foot vertical drop
Whale sighting rate
Very high in season
Icy Strait is prime humpback feeding water
Distance to Hoonah
~1.5 miles
Shuttle or a walkable coastal path
Ownership
Huna Totem Corporation
Tlingit village corporation for Hoonah
Top attractions at Icy Strait Point
Whale watching in Icy Strait
Icy Strait and the neighbouring Point Adolphus area is one of the richest humpback feeding grounds in Southeast Alaska. Nutrient rich water from Glacier Bay meets tidal currents here and concentrates the food supply. Boats leave from the site itself rather than requiring a long transfer, which means more time on the water than at Juneau.
Bubble net feeding, in which a group of humpbacks blows a curtain of bubbles to concentrate herring and then lunges through the shoal together, is more frequently observed here than almost anywhere else. It is not guaranteed, but if you want to see it, this is the place to try.
ZipRider
A six line parallel zipline running roughly 5,330 feet with a vertical drop of about 1,300 feet, reaching speeds of around 60 miles per hour. Riders are lifted to the top by vehicle, then descend in about 90 seconds. It is one of the longest ziplines in the world and, unusually, six people can ride side by side.
The gondolas
Two gondola systems connect the landing area with the upper site and the mountain top. They are included for most guests and turn what would be a steep walk into an easy transfer, which also makes Icy Strait Point one of the more accessible ports on the circuit.
Cannery Museum and Heritage Center
The restored 1912 cannery houses original processing machinery and an exhibition on the salmon industry and Huna Tlingit history. It is free, indoors, and genuinely interesting rather than a gift shop with captions.
Hoonah village
The village itself is about a mile and a half away and can be reached by shuttle or on foot along the shore. It is a working community of around 900 people, not an attraction, and visitors are asked to treat it accordingly. There is a small museum, a few shops and a harbour.
Brown bear viewing on Chichagof Island
Chichagof Island has one of the highest brown bear densities anywhere on earth, estimated at around one bear per square mile. Guided bear search tours run into the forest and along salmon streams. Sightings are genuinely possible but not guaranteed, and the odds improve sharply once salmon are running.
Wildlife at Icy Strait Point
| Species | Where | Likelihood | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whale | Icy Strait, Point Adolphus | Very high on a boat trip | Among the best odds in Alaska |
| Bubble net feeding | Icy Strait | Occasional | More frequently seen here than elsewhere |
| Orca | Icy Strait | Low to moderate | Transient pods move through |
| Brown bear | Chichagof Island forest and streams | Moderate on a guided tour | Highest density on earth, but dense forest hides them |
| Sea otter | Sheltered bays | High | |
| Bald eagle | Everywhere | Near certain | |
| Steller sea lion | Haul outs in the strait | Moderate to high |
How to plan an Icy Strait Point day
This is the easiest port to plan on the whole circuit. Everything is on one site, distances are short, and the gondolas remove the hills.
Step 1
Book whale watching if you have not already done Juneau
If your itinerary includes both, do the whale trip here rather than Juneau: less transfer time, better feeding water, and a better chance of bubble net feeding.
Step 2
Add the ZipRider if anyone in the party wants it
It sells out on busy days and it is the only activity here that has genuine capacity limits.
Step 3
Use the gondolas and walk the trails between activities
The forest trails around the site are well made, quiet and take twenty to forty minutes.
Step 4
Visit Hoonah only if you want to see a working village
It is a community rather than an attraction. Go with the right expectations or skip it.
Best time to visit Icy Strait Point
Whale activity in Icy Strait builds through the season. June is good, July and August are the peak, and by September the concentration begins to disperse as herring move.
| Month | Typical high | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| May | 55°F / 13°C | Whales arriving, quiet, cool |
| June | 60°F / 16°C | Good whale activity, long days |
| July | 63°F / 17°C | Peak whale activity and best bubble net odds |
| August | 62°F / 17°C | Peak whale and bear activity, salmon running |
| September | 56°F / 13°C | Quieter, whales dispersing, autumn colour |
Photography tips for Icy Strait Point
- Set up for a fluke, not a body. The classic humpback photograph is the tail as the whale sounds. Watch for the arched back, then be ready: you have about two seconds.
- Continuous autofocus and a fast shutter. 1/1600 second, continuous AF, and burst mode. Whale photography is a numbers game.
- Do not use a polariser on whale trips. It costs you a stop and a half of light and slows the shutter at exactly the wrong moment.
- Shoot from the upper gondola station for landscape. The view across Icy Strait toward the Chilkat range is the best wide shot on the site.
- The cannery interior needs a fast lens. It is dim, and flash is intrusive. Anything f/2.8 or faster helps considerably.
- Expect spray. A cheap rain cover for the camera is worth more on this trip than any accessory.
Excursions and prices
| Excursion | Duration | Typical price | Effort | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whale watching and marine mammals cruise | 2.5 to 3.5 hours | $140 to $210 | Easy | The best whale trip in Alaska on odds alone. Boats leave from the site. |
| ZipRider | 1 to 1.5 hours | $120 to $180 | Moderate | Roughly 90 seconds of descent. Weight limits apply. |
| Brown bear search and wildlife expedition | 3 to 4 hours | $140 to $200 | Easy | Vehicle based. Best odds in late July and August. |
| Hoonah village and culture tour | 2 to 3 hours | $80 to $130 | Easy | Tlingit guided. The most substantive cultural offering here. |
| Tribal dance and cultural performance | 1 hour | $40 to $70 | Easy | Performed by Huna Tlingit dancers at the site. |
| Kayaking in the bay | 3 hours | $140 to $200 | Active | Sheltered paddling with otters and eagles. |
| Forest trails and gondola | Self guided | Usually included | Easy | Well made trails. A good free way to fill the afternoon. |
| Halibut or salmon fishing charter | 4 to 6 hours | $300 to $480 | Moderate | Productive water, and the catch can sometimes be processed and shipped. |
Frequently asked questions
What is Icy Strait Point and is it a real town?
Is whale watching at Icy Strait Point better than Juneau?
How long is the ZipRider and is it frightening?
Do I need to book excursions at Icy Strait Point in advance?
Is Icy Strait Point accessible for limited mobility?
Does spending money at Icy Strait Point benefit local people?
Cruise lines and planning guides for this stop
A detailed guide to Norwegian Cruise Line in Alaska: ships, Glacier Bay access, Freestyle cruising, the Haven suite complex, cabins, dining, pricing and who it suits.
A detailed guide to Royal Caribbean in Alaska: which ships sail, why it does not visit Glacier Bay, family suitability, dining, cabins, pricing and how it compares.
A detailed guide to Princess Cruises in Alaska: which ships sail, Glacier Bay access, the wilderness lodge cruisetour network, cabins, dining, pricing and who the line actually suits.
A detailed guide to Holland America Line in Alaska: mid size ships, Glacier Bay access, Yukon and Denali cruisetours, dining, cabins, pricing and who the line suits.
How to choose Alaska shore excursions: what is worth booking, ship versus independent operators, real prices by port, weather cancellations and how many to book.
Planning an accessible Alaska cruise: accessible cabins, tender port limitations, port by port accessibility, excursions with step free access and equipment hire.
How to structure an Alaska cruise port day: real available time, gangway queues, tendering, all aboard timing, what to carry and how to build in a buffer.
How to plan an Alaska cruise with children: which lines suit which ages, wet weather planning, excursions that work for kids, cabin choices and what to pack.